Tips for Teaching Kids to Get Dressed

Getting dressed is one of the most basic and essential life skills kids need to learn. Given a little support and the opportunity, some kids will master this skill on their own with little adult help. Others may benefit from more specific practice and encouragement. Below are some terrific tips to help kids learn to get dressed, ideas for setting up environments that encourage kids to practice dressing on their own, and specific activities for kids to practice in order to dress independently.

In my experience the most important (and often challenging) way to help kids learn to get dressed is to let them do it. As toddlers when they want to put on their own pants, give them time to do so. Yes, I know. It can take forever in the beginning, and morning schedules are tight. But encouraging them to try and letting them practice until they do is so important, especially when they first show interest.

I remember fondly when Tinker first learned to put on her pants. She sat and tried and tried until she was successful. I asked many times if she needed help, but she was sure she wanted to do it herself so I let her. The first time she did it she was SO proud, and I was, too. In fact that same week she sat over and over again putting layer after layer of pants on. Then she’d insist on wearing them ALL. My little marshmallow girl!

If you can’t give them the full time to try to dress or they are not quite ready to do the skill completely on their own in the beginning, then it may help to divide the tasks. Now that Lovey is learning to tie her shoes, we’ve started by letting her cross and tighten the laces. Then I do the loops, and she tightens the final bow.

Comments

Great tips, Shaunna! Thanks so much for linking up with Montessori Monday … and for featuring my Montessori-Inspired Activities for Care of Self. I pinned your post and featured it at the Living Montessori Now Facebook page.

Hello!
Thanks so much for featuring our post today! We think it’s such an important reminder to slow down and give kids the time they need to learn dressing skills and to introduce activities that build dressing skills through play. It was so fun to read other bloggers’ takes on the same subject! Thanks again!

Thank you so much for putting this together…so very helpful! i have one twin who has dressed herself from 2 but my other one is still struggling at 3 although she is very vocal about what she WANTS to wear